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Two Things on My Mind Right Now
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Accomplishments
May 25, 2005
Sleeve Beach
I've arrived at a new destination in the Truelove knitting. It's not exactly an island ... it's more like a relaxing beach of miniature proportions. Tiny, indeed, since I have yet to venture very far:
The good news is that the sleeve is pleasant to knit [note Cashcotton love in previous entry] and, at just 41 stitches wide [after the ruffle!], it will go quite quickly. Which is good, because the downside of sleeves of course is that they come in pairs.
I cast that on late last night, after finishing up the front.
Note that there's something missing from the front: the heart motif. Remember the pattern calls for intarsia, and I'd decided to do it as purls. Let me tell you what: It looked like crap. So much so that I thought I would document just how bad it looked, but then couldn't refrain from undoing it before I got a picture. You've seen bad knitting right? Imagine it in miniature, and in pink. Trust me. I did what had to be done. So now we have a plain front. I'm toying with perhaps doing an outline of a heart in duplicate stitch, or just leaving it plain. We shall see.
One issue cropped up when I examined the finished front, though. Somehow my row gauge is uneven, and it's very apparent in some places on the wrong side:
Click to see a different perspective
This has never happened to me before. What's going on here? Clearly my knits are bigger than my purls... or is it my purls are bigger than my knits? How do I accurately diagnose what's going on? And how do I correct for it in the future? And most importantly: Will blocking fix it? Smart knitters, please comment away.
*****
Programming note: This blog is going dark for the next 2 weeks while I travel to points west to reconnect with my sweetie and with nature. Will return in early June. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!
Posted by Ann at May 25, 2005 06:11 AMthe sweater is coming along really cute!
as far as the uneven row gauge, it's more likely to be that your purls are bigger than your knits, but it could go either way.
i've had odd things happen with my knitting with certain kinds of yarn. calmer, for me, needs to be knit on big needles to get gauge.
it's possible that a different type of needle would help you deal with the rowing out. you might be unconsciously knitting tighter or looser to deal with a needle issue (too slippery, not slippery enough).
blocking may help, too, although it's not clear to me that it's obvious on the right side. can you really see it on the right side? if not, i wouldn't worry about it too much.
Posted by: jody at May 25, 2005 07:29 AMI really like that cutie sweater, I can imagine it's nice and soft, too. As for varying knits and purls, have you ever considered Combined Knitting? Annie Modesitt is the queen of it (http://www.modeknit.com/combined.html), and I have some stuff on my webpage, too (http://www.grumperina.com/knitting.htm).
Posted by: grumperina at May 25, 2005 07:35 AMHi Ann,
I am really glad you mentioned this row gauge thing... I am having the very same problem with some cotton. It looks just like yours, and it does show up pretty noticeably on the RS. I am not sure if washing/blocking will take it out... and I am not completely up to frogging it. I will read the comments that you get about it eagerly. That being said, I don't think yours looks bad--from the pics of the front, it is not bad looking.
Have fun on sleeve beach :)
Oh, have fun out west! That sounds wonderful! Our region is too cold right now!
Posted by: Lolly at May 25, 2005 08:04 AMMe too! I'm knitting a tank top with Cotton Fleece right now, and noticed the same rowing out effect. I thought it was because I was using cotton (or 80% anyway) instead of wool, but I think it happens when I knit with that too. It's just hidden better with that fibre.
I've soaked the finished back in Eucalan, and it's now at home blocking out. Hopefully it will be all nice and smooth when I'm done.
Nothing like spending loads of time and care to make a garment, then be thwarted by something you can't control like rowing out.
Posted by: kelly at May 25, 2005 08:29 AMIt's a common problem. That's why I'll never use the purl side for a public side;-)
Enjoy your vacation!
Your baby sweater is so cute and sweet with the soft pink and the ruffles. I like it so much better without the heart - it doesn't look nearly as nice in the picture on the baby. I think you should definitely leave it off.
Posted by: cindy at May 25, 2005 10:10 PMRemember my swatch for Fibonacci? (or maybe you weren't there.) I had to switch from continental (left handed yarn holding & "picking") to English (right handed yarn holding & "throwing") in order not to get the wonkage. I am now convinced "it's a cotton thing." (And I must say that I'm quite relieved to know I'm not the only one).
Posted by: LauraRN at May 26, 2005 07:26 AMFunkiness on the gauge! I say a glass (or two or five) of wine while knitting will relax you ;-) Have an awesome time out west!
Hey - I'm adding you to my friends list on my blog... hope that's OK!
~christy
I'm afraid that blocking won't help. And it is indeed true that cotton is less forgiving than wool, and that's why it's more noticeable. I can tell from the picture that your purls are looser than the knits, so you can simply try to knit tighter on the purl side. Another thing you can do is to use a smaller needle on the purl side, or a larger needle on the knit side.
Good luck!
Posted by: Beth at May 26, 2005 03:23 PMI use a smaller needle on the purl side when it matters.
Posted by: Alison Chambers at June 3, 2005 02:36 PM